The state Senate Budget Committee will hold a public meeting at 11 a.m. today at Henry Hudson Regional School, 1 Grand Tour, Highlands. The committee will hear testimony from the public about the impact of superstorm Sandy. Those wishing to testify can register by emailing OLSAideSBA@njleg.org; or by faxing 609-943-5995, or by calling 609-847-3835. Those presenting written testimony are asked to provide 20 copies on the day of hearing.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed on Sundays, except for the Bay Head DRC, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Centers are open in Belmar, Middletown, Long Branch and Union Beach in Monmouth County and in Bay Head, Brick, Harvey Cedars, Little Egg Harbor, Toms River and Stafford in Ocean County. Visit www.fema.gov/sandy.

The New Leaders Council, in conjunction with the Monmouth County Republican and Democratic clubs, will hold a Sandy relief concert from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 30 at The Stone Pony. The event features the B Street Band, The Pat Roddy Band, Joe Orlando and the Cryers, Vinny Pastore, the Crazy Horse Band and Back Up Jackson. Kevin McArdle from New Jersey 101.5 FM will emcee, and speaking sets will be delivered by area dignitaries. Food and cleaning-supply donations will be accepted, and all proceeds from the $25 suggested ticket price will benefit the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

For disaster survivors who may feel overwhelmed after superstorm Sandy, call the New Jersey Disaster Mental Health Helpline at 877-294-4357, or TTY 877-294-4356 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Boat owners or insurance companies trying to locate a lost or abandoned vessels should call the New Jersey State Police, Point Pleasant Station at 732-899-5051.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

ABERDEEN: Parents of Special People Inc., will conduct a “Sensitive Santa” event from noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Cliffwood Veterans of Foreign War Post 4745 at 699 Cliffwood Ave. Each child will receive a candy cane and have his or her picture taken with Santa. Parents can make arrangements to drop off a present to have Santa give his or her child a gift.

The Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library, 165 Main St., Matawan, is inviting patrons to donate new, unused mittens, gloves, hats or scarves to be to given to children and adults in need. The collection runs through Wednesday. For more information, call Chrissie McGovern at 732-583-9100 or maplkids@lmxac.org.

ALLENHURST: The Police Department will be collecting Toys for Tots this holiday season. Toys also may be dropped off directly at the police station or at borough hall through Thursday.

ASBURY PARK: The SAT exam that was scheduled for Nov. 3 will take place Dec. 15 at Asbury Park High School.

A holiday bazaar with 18 boardwalk retailers and a full-service bar in convention hall’s Grand Arcade on the boardwalk will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays now through Christmas.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS: The Harbor Commission will meet at 7 p.m. today at Borough Hall. The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Small Business Administration news and update for superstorm Sandy’s aftermath planning and recovery at 6:30 p.m. today at the Two River Community Bank in the Eastpointe Shopping Plaza, 2345 Route 36. To reserve a seat, call 732-872-8711 or e-mail info@atlantichighlands.org.

The last bulk pickup for the year will be Dec. 15. Bulk pickup will resume in January.

The Arts Council’s Living Room Concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 at the Strauss Mansion on Prospect Circle. The evening will consist of chamber music by area musicians. Tickets are $20. To make a reservation, call 732-737-7160 or visit www.atlantichighlandsartscouncil.org.

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BRIELLE: The elementary school will hold its winter concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 13. Children of all ages are invited to help the library decorate its Christmas tree at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 18. The Church in Brielle will host a free dinner that will be served from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 at Manasquan United Methodist Church on South Street. The Police Department is having a coats for kids drive. Coats are being accepted at the police department until Dec. 21.

BRADLEY BEACH: The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

BELMAR: Starting today, the garbage and recycling pickup schedules go back to normal, which includes purchasing bulk stickers for bulk items. The borough Historical Society will meet at 6 p.m. today at the library. The Borough Council will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The “Buy a Board” donation program to help rebuild the boardwalk is available on the borough website, www.belmar.com.

COLTS NECK: A Jingle Bell 5K walk will begin 10 a.m. Dec. 15 at Colts Neck High School, with registration at 9 a.m. The walk fee is $20 prior to Friday or $25 the day, and it will benefit Sandy relief efforts. For more information, call 732-761-0190, ext. 1143. Colts Neck High School students have also begun a holiday campaign, “Give me one Less Gift,” to aid those Union Beach residents in need who were affected by superstorm Sandy. Collection boxes are located in Colts Neck High School, 59 Five Point Road, and at Colts Neck Town Hall, 124 Cedar Drive. All donations should be placed at the drop off locations by Dec. 17. Under the supervision of Todd Schaefer of Colts Neck High School, students will bring the gift cards collected to Union Beach on Dec. 18

EATONTOWN: On Wednesday, the Medtronic “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” food drive will collect food donations for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. To participate, call 732-542-2800, ext. 6637, for Michele DeGeorge or email michele.degeorge@medtronic.com, or ext. 6608 for Kelly Chrystal or kelly.chrystal@medtronic.com.

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ENGLISHTOWN: The Manalapan-Englishtown Board of Education will meet at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Pine Brook School, 155 Pease Road, Manalapan. The Borough Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at borough hall, 15 Main St.

FAIR HAVEN: The Borough’s Department of Public Works no longer will be picking up storm-related trees after today. However, the borough will continue to collect brush throughout December. Department of Public Works officials request that storm-related brush be placed curbside as soon as possible. Residents working with tree-removal services should have them remove the wood from their properties instead of placing it at the curb. There is no schedule of when specific streets will have brush picked up.

FREEHOLD: The Latino Coalition of New Jersey and the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life is holding a fundraiser for Sandy victims from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Presbyterian Church of Freehold, 118 W. Main St. Donation is $30.

The Sanctuary Program, which provides breakfast and lunch for the working poor, families and immigrant laborers during winter, will begin its ninth year on Dec. 15 at First United Methodist Church at 91 W. Main St. in Freehold. Breakfast will be offered every Friday at the church, beginning Dec. 21. Meals will be served every Friday and Saturday through March 16. They will be served from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Fridays and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

FREEHOLDTOWNSHIP: A pasta dinner fundraiser by the Freehold Township High School National Honor Society in coordination with other high school clubs will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 14 in the school cafeteria. A $10-per-person fee will benefit the New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, organized by Gov. Chris Christie. To donate food toward the dinner, contact Brian Grimes at 732-431-8460, ext. 3116, or bgrimes@frhsd.com.

HAZLET: The judging for the holiday house-decorating contest will take place between Dec. 15 and 20. For more information, call 732-739-0653.

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Comedian Kevin Israel will perform a benefit to help support the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean counties at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Park East at 3352 Route 35. The cost is $25 per person. For reservations, call 732-739-2002 or email kevinisrael@gmail.com. The comedian also is participating in the Operation Jersey Shore Santa now through Dec. 15. For information on drop-off locations for new unwrapped toys, call 732-701-7012 or visit www.operationjerseyshoresanta.org.

HIGHLANDS The temporary telephone number for borough hall is 408-432-2811. Borough officials are working toward having its regular telephone service up and running as soon as possible.

Mail delivery in areas affected by superstorm Sandy will resume Monday. Displaced residents should go to the Rumson post office at 6 Hunt St. to have their mailing addresses temporarily or permanently changed or to have a hold placed on their mail; otherwise, the mail will be delivered to the Highlands address. Residents must go to Rumson in person by Friday to make necessary changes. The Rumson post office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

HOWELL: The start time for tonight’s Council Executive Session has been rescheduled to 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the 2nd Floor Main Meeting Room at the Municipal Offices, 4567 Route 9 North. The Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony is slated for 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the municipal building, 4567 Route 9. Limited parking is available at municipal complex. Shuttle buses will be available at the Howell Commons Shopping Plaza, closest to Dress Barn.

Howell Memorial Middle School Parents in conjunction with PAL will be holding a Rock For Hope concert on Friday, Dec. 14 to raise money Howell Memorial Middle School band teacher Larren Alspach. The event will be at Memorial Middle School, 486 Adelphia Road, Freehold, from 6 to 9 p.m. T-shirts and wristbands are for sale. The evening will include local rock bands, raffles and a special performance by her students. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 students and can be purchased at the door or by calling 732-241-8679 or 908-907-2306 or email djtkb@optonline.net.

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The township is accepting donations of nonperishable food and new pajamas for all ages to be distributed among local charities.

The recycling center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week and is accepting leaves, brush, branches and cut-up trees.

KEANSBURG: Anyone with food or clothing needs should call 732-787-0215, ext. 203. Monetary donations to help with the recovery can be sent to Borough of Keansburg Trust, 29 Church St., Keansburg, NJ 07734.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church serves free hot meals in its soup kitchen from noon to 2 p.m., the hall remains open until 3 p.m., located in the parish hall at 247 Carr Ave. The church also offers other services to the public and accepts food supplies from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Licensed social work services are provided from noon to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

A Christmas toy drive for new toys is under way. The list of donations includes toys for more than 300 children; nonperishable food; Home Depot, Lowe’s and supermarket gift cards; new socks and underwear, all genders/sizes and in packages only; paper products, such as paper towels, and bath or facial tissues; cash or checks made out to St. Mark’s Church with “outreach” or “toy drive” written in the memo section, and/or monetary donations to go directly to the parish operations. The parish also still is recruiting area organizations to sponsor meal services one day per month. For more information, call 732-910-7017 or email edwinchinery@yahoo.com.

KEYPORT: The Bayshore Regional Watershed Council Meeting is Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the borough Council Chambers.

LAKECOMO: Residents who need cleaning supplies for storm cleanup may pick up donated kits at borough hall, 1740 Main St.

The borough has set up the Lake Como Relief Fund to provide assistance to borough residents in need as a result of Sandy. Donations can be made online at www.lakecomonj.org. Residents in need should call Borough Administrator Louise Mekosh at 732-681-3232.

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LITTLE SILVER: There will be a special Borough Council meeting with officials from Federal Emergency Management Agency at 8 p.m., tonight at the Markham Place School cafeteria.

LOCHARBOUR: There will be a bulk pickup on Thursday. Food donations are being accepted at municipal headquarters at 550 Main St.

LONG BRANCH: The City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday. Rock of Wages will host a fundraising event at Indulge in Pier Village to raise money for Sea Bright establishment, Dive. The event is from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are being sold for a minimum of a $50 donation and can be purchased with cash or check at Indulge or Mix Lounge in the city. All ticket sales go toward the redevelopment of Dive! and guests will receive a complimentary drink and T-shirt for their ticket donation. There will be a live DJ and silent auction. For more information, go to www.rockofwages.com.

Firefighters Local 68 is hosting a food drive to benefit the city’s food banks for the holiday seasons. Nonperishable food can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Dec. 20 at Union and Third avenues or Second and Montgomery avenues.

The Sitting Duck restaurant on Myrtle Avenue is collecting Toys for Toys now through Dec. 16.

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is located at Long Branch Fire Station, 199-205 Union Avenue.

MANALAPAN: The Economic Development Council meets at 7 p.m. at township hall, room 216. The Construction Amnesty Program is being extended until the close of business on Dec. 31.

MANASQUAN: The borough is looking for a Beach Recovery Slogan that represents the borough and its effort to rebuild their beaches after superstorm Sandy. If you have a catchy phrase, share it on the borough’s Facebook page. Donations for the recovery effort can be made on the borough website, or checks can be mailed to the Borough of Manasquan, 201 E. Main St., Manasquan, NJ 08736.

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Beach badges for the 2013 season are on sale through Dec. 28 at Manasquan Recreation Annex (DCI Building), 67 Atlantic Ave. Prices are $70 for adults 17 years old and older, $35 for ages 12 to 16, and $25 for seniors 65 and older. Seasonal parking passes also will be available for $75.

MARLBORO: The Marlboro Alliance Parent will be holding a workshop on how to help children in the aftermath of Sandy at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The workshop will be at the Marlboro Recreation Building. Call 732-617-0186 for more information. The Planning Board meeting for Dec. 19 has been canceled. The Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting for Monday has been postponed. The permitting requirements for the removal of trees that are dead or damaged as a result of Sandy or the nor’easter will be waived through Feb. 1.

MIDDLETOWN: Brookdale Community College’s Center for World War II Studies and Conflict Resolution will screen “Empire of the Sun” at 7 p.m. today in the Warner Student Life Center, lower level, Twin Lights Room on the Lincroft campus. A representative from the New Jersey Alliance for Learning and Preserving the History of World War II in Asia will provide historical commentary and answer questions. The fee is $5 and free to Brookdale students. To register, call 732-224-2315 for event code XWWTS 272 PR.

A Small Business Administration recovery center offering one-on-one assistance is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the college’s Bankier Library room 246 at 765 Newman Springs Road until further notice. Renters, homeowners and businesses also can apply for a disaster loan at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

The Middletown PBA Local 124 Toy Drive is accepting new toys now through Dec. 20 at police headquarters 1 Kings Highway, at any of the township’s 11 firehouses and at Colonial American Bank at 1405 Route 35. Donations also can be given to any Middletown Police Officer. Toys also are being collected by the Middletown High School North and South Booster Clubs, Thorne Middle School and other township schools. The PBA has contributed $1,500 toward the drive. Toys are distributed to Middletown Helps Its Own, Jason’s Dreams and 180 Turning Lives Around.

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After hundreds of residents came forward to help their neighbors in the wake of superstorm Sandy, the Township Committee has established a new advisory body, the Middletown Volunteer Corps, to manage the township’s wealth of kind-hearted volunteers.

Residents interested in volunteering their time to assist in the creation and management of the Middletown Volunteer Corps are encouraged to submit an application on the Middletown Citizen Leadership Form. Applications should be sent to Middletown Citizen Leadership Act, c/o Township Clerk, Town Hall, 1 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ 07748. Call 732-615-2015 for more information. The application can be downloaded from www.middletownnj.org. Look under the Boards and Commission section of the website.

MONMOUTH BEACH: The Borough of Commissioners has canceled its regular workshop meeting scheduled for 6 pm. tonight. The regular meeting for tonight at 6:30 p.m. is still on at the Church of the Precious Blood at 12 Riverdale Avenue.

Monmouth Beach residents who have had buildings damaged by superstorm Sandy should email the borough to begin the initial assessment process, which is being conducted by the borough’s Construction Department. Email contact information to the borough at mb07750@gmail.com.

Power has now been restored to borough hall offices, though phone service has not. Email officials by visiting www.monmouthbeach.us.

NEPTUNE: Officials are posting recovered photographs found after Sandy on the Neptune Township Facebook page. If any photos are recognized, email rgrace@neptunetownship.org.

Neptune High School’s Art Department is creating a collage of photos taken during and after superstorm Sandy. Anyone who wants to participate can email mindorato@neptune.k12.nj.us.

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The Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation (MURC) is sponsoring a Holiday Fundraiser — Dinner & Dance from 7 to 11:45 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21 at the Hamilton Banquet Hall, 10 Jumping Brook Road. Tickets are available for $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Seating is limited, so call now to reserve your place at a table. For more information, call 732-616-2940 or 732-361-6404 or leave your contact information at the MURC Office, 732-988-4400. Proceeds from this event will go towards MURC programming. To know more about MURC, visit the website at www.neptunemurc.com.

OCEANTOWNSHIP: The Township Council regular meeting tonight begins at 5:30 p.m., with a workshop followed by the regular session at 7 p.m. at 399 Monmouth Road in Oakhurst. The Board of Adjustment meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. For more information, call 732-531-5000 ext. 3312.

OCEANPORT: The OEM’s Information/Resource Center remains open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at the Port-au-Peck Firehouse on Myrtle Avenue. The center provides disaster assistance information, connects residents with volunteer groups, and has new clothing, cleaning supplies and assorted food items on hand.

RED BANK: The Sawtooth Group, an ad agency, will turn its annual holiday party into a fundraiser for Sea Bright Rising. Founder Chris Wood, owner of Woody's Ocean Grille in Sea Bright, will be on hand at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Downtown to receive a check for $5,000 from Sawtooth Founder Bill Schmermund.

Join Red Bank PBA Local 39 in spreading some holiday cheer by participating in its toy drive for children in need. Show your generosity by dropping off an unwrapped gift by Sunday at Red Bank Police Headquarters, 90 Monmouth St. Contact George Travostino at 732-530-2700.

RUMSON: Tonight at 7 p.m., Tim McLoone and The Shirleys will play a Sandy benefit concert tonight called “Lend a Paw…Dawgs Helping Dawgs.” It will be held at the Rumson-Fair Haven High School auditorium. The fundraising effort is sponsored by the Parent Teacher Student Association, which will assist RFH students and staff who have been affected by Sandy. All ticket sales will directly benefit the fundraising effort, and prices are $15 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are available at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

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SEA BRIGHT: Two donated computers will be available for residents to have access to the most up-to-date information available. For the convenience of residents and businesses during the recovery process, borough hall will remain open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Sundays. Sea Bright remains under a state of emergency, with a strict borough-wide curfew between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.

SEA GIRT: The Borough Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the elementary school. The Sea Girt library will hold its children’s holiday party from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday. Project PACMAN at the elementary school from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. This annual rock concert featuring local police and kids will be collecting food donations for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Their goal is to collect 2,000 pounds of nonperishable foods for the pantry. Trash bins are available for Trenton Boulevard residents for storm-damaged bulk items.

SHREWSBURY: The Monmouth County Historical Association’s annual Holiday Lantern Tours of Shrewsbury’s Historic Four Corners will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Broad Street and Sycamore Avenue, a national and state designated historic district. Tours are open to the public, but are by reservation only. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. Tours leave from Christ Church, 380 Sycamore Ave. For more information or to make a reservation, call 732-915-5862.

SPRINGLAKE: The borough Historical Society’s 35th anniversary honorees dinner is postponed until May 4 at the Essex and Sussex.

SPRINGLAKE HEIGHTS: Sandy relief donations can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 2100 Old Mill Road. For more information, call 732-859-3700/359-7094 or email sandyrelief2100@gmail.com.

TINTONFALLS: It is estimated that more than 10,000 cubic yards of trees and brush have been collected over the past month. For additional details on tree, brush and leaf pickup, visit www.tintonfalls.com.

WEST LONG BRANCH: Reformation Lutheran Church changed its hours of operation for its emergency distribution for the surrounding communities. The site will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with the ability to provide clothing, emergency food, emergency cleaning supplies and emergency toiletry items. The church is on the corner of Broadway and Locust Road.

OCEAN COUNTY

BAY HEAD: The grace period for fourth quarter 2012 property taxes has been extended through Dec. 31. If you have questions call the tax collector at 732-892-8920. A special Borough Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Point Pleasant Beach Borough Council Chambers on New Jersey Avenue.

BEACH HAVEN: If your business is open & resuming business, please contact Deputy Clerk Lauren Rohrer through the borough website at beachhaven-nj.gov to be placed on a list of businesses that are open in Beach Haven. Residents are responsible for sand removal from their properties. Property owners or contractors must transport sand to Centre Street on the ocean side, where it will be screened by the Public Works Department.

BEACHWOOD: Wednesday is the last day to submit your house for the Holiday House Decorating Contest. The judging will occur this Friday through Sunday. The awards will be presented at the next council meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 19.

BERKELEY: The Township Council will meet at 7 p.m. today in the meeting room in Town Hall, 627 Pinewald-Keswick Road. For Sandy victim homeowners (not contractors): the construction office will hold extended hours between 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

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BRICK: The Office of Emergency Management has opened the barrier island between the Mantoloking Bridge and the Toms River border. Property owners and contractors are asked to park away from debris piles and off the roadways, wherever possible. For more information, visit www.twp.brick.nj.us or call 732-262-1234.

JACKSON: Until further notice the Compost facility, on 334 Jackson Mills Road, will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. For the time period that the facility is open every day, residents who are removing storm debris may bring a commercial vehicle onto the site. Anyone entering the facility must provide legitimate proof of Jackson Township residency. If possible, the township requests all brush be cut up into four-foot lengths and be no more than six inches in diameter. Residents also have the option of cutting and placing brush curbside; however, please allow up to six weeks for pickup.

LAKEWOOD: The Lakewood Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 71 is holding its annual holiday toy drive. The PBA is asking for unwrapped toys for girls and boys ages 1 month to 15 years old. Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at the police station, where there is a box at the watch commander’s office. Items can be dropped off until Dec. 21. For more information, call 732-364-0071.

LAVALLETTE: The Planning Board has changed the location of its 7 p.m. Wednesday meeting to the Island Heights municipal building, Van Sant and Bay avenues in Island Heights.

New Jersey Natural Gas is scheduled to reintroduce natural gas here starting today. The schedule is tentative and subject to change. No vehicle access — by residents, contractors, insurance agents or others — will be permitted today through Thursday. Vehicle access is expected to return on Friday.

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LONG BEACHTOWNSHIP: Debris from homes must be placed curbside no later than Dec. 21 for removal by the township. After that, residents will be responsible for properly disposing of debris.

MANTOLOKING: A detailed storm recovery update is available on the borough website at www.mantoloking.org. The new phone number for borough hall is 732-475-6983, and the construction department is 732-475-7261.

Officials say debris staging areas in the borough as well as Brick are at full capacity. Borough officials are looking for landowners to volunteer properties for debris storage.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH: As of Dec. 31, brush collection will return back to the regular procedure. Branches bundled in lengths of five feet or less will be picked up by appointment only by calling 732-899-0705.

POINT PLEASANT: The PTO Holiday fair is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, at the Ocean Road Elementary School All- Purpose Room, Tickets are $5 per child. Parents and children under 3 are admitted free. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Call 732-701-1900 for more info.

SEASIDEHEIGHTS: Officials have prohibited loitering in the beach and boardwalk area and are reminding sightseers that this is being done because the area still is considered dangerous. A 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew remains in place.

STAFFORD: The township Policeman’s Benevolent Association Local 297, along with the township Recreation Department, is holding its annual Christmas toy drive. The PBA and Recreation Department will help residents in need in Stafford and Long Beach Island with toys and gifts for children ages 9 through 18. Anyone who would like to donate toys, clothes, gift certificates, etc., can drop off new, unwrapped items at the municipal building, 260 E. Bay Ave., day or night. Monetary donations also can be made. Checks can be made payable to the Stafford Twp. PBA 297 Toy Drive. For more information call 609-489-0915 or 609-597-1000, ext. 8312, or email staffordtoydrive@hotmail.com.

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A First Responder Relief Fundraiser featuring comedian/actor Joe Piscopo will be held from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Holiday Inn on Route 72 in Manahawkin. Recommended donation is $20 per person.

TOMSRIVER: New Jersey Natural Gas work will close portions of the barrier island next week. The north beaches area will close from Saturday to Thursday; Lavallette from Tuesday to Thursday; and the Ortley Beach area from Monday to Thursday.

The Garden State Hearing and Balance Center is holding its annual hearing aid giveaway. To be considered, send a written essay describing why you believe a loved one or yourself deserve to win a free hearing aid. All written entries will be posted on the center’s website to be voted on by the public (identifying information will be removed). The essay must include your name, address and phone number, as well as the name, address and phone number if you are nominating someone else to: Garden State Hearing and Balance Center, 250 Route 37 West, Toms River NJ 08755 or via email at gardenstatehearing@comcast.net or fax (732) 818-3663. All submissions must be received by Dec. 31.

WARETOWN: The township is using a reverse calling system called SWIFT911 to reach residents in an emergency. The program delivers recorded warnings via telephone, email, text or pager. To receive emergency notices, visit www.townshipofocean.org.